Melbourne, who were a force to be reckoned with during the minor rounds, were again left without a win in September.
The club remains in the premiership window, but time is ticking with an ageing list full of experienced talent.
Letter Grade: B-
The Sporting News takes a look at Melbourne's 2023 season.
Did Melbourne over/under achieve in 2023?
Melbourne is yet to hit the same heights as its drought-breaking 2021 season, now once again left disappointed after a straight sets exit in finals.
The side hasn't won a final since their flag heroics, and while the Demons have been consistently good, they're still a touch below the best teams come September.
There's no doubt this Melbourne team is full of talent, you've only to look at its midfield names, but an edge and dependability are missing.
By the club's own lofty standards, it was an underachieving season.
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What worked?
Defence has become the identity of the Demons.
Backmen Steven May and Jake Lever didn't collect their usual individual achievements in 2023, but they were again dominant in the Melbourne defensive unit.
Medium defenders Judd McVee, Trent Rivers, and Jake Bowey also added solid contributions to a defence that conceded the fewest points per game this season.
What went wrong?
While the Brodie Grundy and Max Gawn ruck pairing didn't at all deliver on its promise, it wasn't the main issue the Demons faced in season 2023.
Inaccuracy in front of goal hurt Melbourne on more than a few occasions, but it was in the finals the weakness proved most costly.
In their last two matches, the Demons went 16.28 in goal-scoring opportunities. That doesn't include complete misses, which also plagued the club's finals run.
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Melbourne Demons best player
With star midfielder Clayton Oliver sidelined with injury for much of the season, Christian Petracca stood up.
The 27-year-old midfielder-forward led the Demons in score involvements and averaged just over a goal a game, as he burst through stoppages and showed his usual class in the forward line.
An All-Australian blazer was an appetiser, but a Brownlow Medal would be more filling for the passionate home cook.
Who should Melbourne target in the AFL trade period?
Grundy seems a certainty to leave, which opens up a whole lot of cap space for Melbourne.
There are no obvious solutions to the Demons' dilemma, but some improved forward line depth could help.
Adelaide's Shane McAdam has already requested a trade to the club and would be a good place to start in what should be an active trade period.
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